A report reveals fly-tipping incidents in Derby rose after council initiatives aimed to reduce them
Derby: So, it turns out fly-tipping has shot up in Derby, even though the council tried to tackle the issue. A recent report shows that after the council rolled out new waste and recycling plans, the problem got worse.
Last year, Derby City Council made some big changes. They got rid of the booking system for Sundays at the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Plus, they offered two weeks of free bulky waste collections to help keep the city clean.
These free collections were a hit! They usually cost around £36, but the council gave away 500 slots on a first-come, first-served basis. The idea was to make it easier for folks to dispose of their waste responsibly and cut down on fly-tipping.
But here’s the kicker: during the two weeks when those free collections were happening, fly-tipping actually went up. The report noted that the council ended up spending more money dealing with the mess.
From April to September 2024, there were nearly 700 more fly-tipping incidents compared to the same time in 2023. That’s a jump of over 20%! The council had to shell out about £27,000 more to clean it all up.
In 2023, there were 2,883 fly-tipping cases, but in 2024, that number soared to 3,503. The costs to manage this waste also rose significantly, from around £167,570 to nearly £194,528.
Recently, the council has been trying out a new voucher scheme for bulky waste collections in areas like Sinfin and Osmaston. This is aimed at helping low-income families and those who might struggle to get rid of their waste.
Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha mentioned that while the free collections were popular, it’s still too soon to tell if the rise in fly-tipping is part of a bigger trend. He pointed out that fly-tipping often happens more in deprived areas, which is something Derby is dealing with.
He believes the voucher scheme could really help those in need while also tackling the fly-tipping issue. It’s all about finding better ways to support the community and keep Derby clean.
